Dates

Event

Constructed as a F8U-1.

20 June 1958

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Navy with BuNo 145347.

1958

Transferred to Fighter Squadron 174 (VF-174), Cecil Field, FL.
Used for training East Coast Crusader replacement pilots.

From November 1960 to April 1962

Transferred to Fighter Squadron 11 (VF-11), NAS Cecil Field, FL.
Operated with markings: AB-212

From 15 February 1961 to August 1961

Deployed aboard USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42), departing from Naval Station Mayport, FL. The squadron spent most of FDRs cruise shore based at the U.S. naval base at Rota, Spain. There the squadron averaged around 600 flight hours per month while practicing tactics and gunnery. VF-11 also engaged Air Force F-104s from a nearby base in mock dogfights.

April 1962

Transferred to Fighter Squadron 174 (VF-174), Cecil Field, FL.

6 July 1962

Redesignated as F-8A.

From 1962 to June 1964

Transferred to Utility Squadron 2 (VU-2), NAS Oceana, VA.
Assisted the Anti-Air Warfare Training Center at Dam Neck, Virginia.

From June 1964 to 1971

Largely withdrawn from active service, the aircraft was ferried between several air stations before ending up at the U.S. Navy Plant Representative Office in Baltimore, Maryland where it remained in storage until being donated to the National Naval Aviation Museum.

Circa March 1971

Ferry flight. Delivered to National Naval Aviation Museum, NAS Pensacola, Pensacola, FL.
View the Location Dossier

24 March 1971

Struck off Strength/Charge from the United States Navy.

Markings Applied: NP/201
Marked as aircraft with VF-24.

8 October 2011

Photographer: Matt Maranto

8 October 2012

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield

8 October 2012

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield